Hickman football set for tough test vs. Rockhurst

Thursday

It’s won four consecutive games for the first time since 2007. It’s one long and late touchdown pass away from being undefeated.

But Hickman Coach Jason Wright still isn’t exactly sure where his team stands as it passes the midway point of the regular season.

Tomorrow night, the fifth-year coach should have a better idea when the Kewpies (4-1) travel to Kansas City for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against top-ranked Rockhurst (5-0).

“They’re No. 1 in the state for a reason, obviously, because they possess everything,” Wright said. “There are no glaring weaknesses when you look at them. It’s your typical Rockhurst team, whether they’re No. 1, No. 5 or not ranked.

“They’re aggressive, they execute, they’re well-coached and they have a lot of talent.”

Rock Bridge found that out last week, when the Hawklets came to Columbia and collected five interceptions to claim a 40-21 victory. Now, the Kewpies will take their crack at the perennial state power, and Wright hopes his players have learned a lesson from their crosstown rivals.

Winning the turnover battle will be critical to Hickman’s success — the Kewpies are plus-two in that category — but Wright is more worried about cleaning up the play of his team that has been penalized 43 times this season and is averaging 60 yards in penalties per game.

“If we turn over the ball, we’re going to be climbing a hill,” Wright said. “We’ve been decent with turnovers, but where we’ve had trouble are penalties.

“Against good teams, you can’t do that.”

Rockhurst clearly will be the best team the Kewpies have faced this year. Hickman’s wins have come against a 1-4 Class 6 team (Hazelwood West), a 2-3 Class 5 squad (Holt) and then-state-ranked Class 4 programs Hannibal (3-2) and Helias (2-3).

Three-point wins against Hannibal and Helias the past two weeks might not look all that impressive considering Hickman is among the largest Class 6 programs in the state, but Wright came away encouraged by the way his team handled the tense situations to find ways to win.

“I do like that we’re winning close,” Wright said. “We’re battling. We’re keeping our poise. I think that’s going to pay off down the road.”

Junior quarterback Logan Fitch has been the picture of poise for the Kewpies in leading second-half comebacks against Rock Bridge and Hannibal. The first-year varsity starter has completed 65 percent of his passes for 917 yards, eight touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Dylan Rodes has been Fitch’s top target, with 19 receptions for 331 yards. Slowed by a meniscus injury in the preseason, Will Owens has been Hickman’s only rushing threat with 395 yards on 78 carries.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.